In this blog, we’re sharing some of the ways parishes in our diocese marked St George’s Day last month.
Our thanks to St George’s Southwark, Waddon, Tolworth, Camberwell and Westcombe Park for taking part in our diocesan film where we asked: if he never visited England or killed a dragon, who was St George and why do we mark his day? You may also have noticed our involvement in the national Church of England St George’s Day film too!
A dramatic performance at St George’s Crowhurst
The cast of the St George’s Day play at St George’s Crowhurst
St George’s Church Crowhurst, in the Tandridge Deanery, is thought to be the oldest and first church in the land to be named after our patron saint. It’s a long standing tradition in the village to get together on St George’s day, so this year we invited the villagers to come to an informal celebration service on the Sunday.
The highlights of the service included a moving poem about the courage and integrity of St George as well as an excellent drama, written by Sarah our organist, which had a wonderful mix of humour and a poignant message about the values of justice and service that St George stood for.
You can watch the recent Church of England video exploring the history of St George’s Crowhurst here
Celebrating 200 years of St George’s Church of England Primary School at Southwark Cathedral
Celebrating 200 Years of St George’s Camberwell School at Southwark Cathedral
On St George’s Day, the children of St George’s Church of England Primary School in Camberwell celebrated 200 Years of education in a special service at Southwark Cathedral with The Bishop of Croydon, The Rt Revd Rosemarie Mallett, and Mother Sarah Dawson, Vicar of St George’s Camberwell Church.
The congregation at St George’s Camberwell Church, which celebrated its 200 Year Anniversary in 2024, marked St George’s Day after their Sunday service. Mother Sarah said “We are known for our parties – we are a church that likes to come together through food and music. On Sunday we dressed in red and white and showcased a newly written part of a hymn about St George, and shared in a wide variety of foods that celebrates the diversity we have in our church.”
A depiction of St George
For George our patron, martyr,
his courage, strength and faith,
who fought with gracious valour,
and served you to the end.
Lord, help us have the courage
to hold onto our faith,
in times of tribulation,
when all around seems bleak.
A new verse to: ‘For all your saints still active’ text ©2004 Kevin Mayhew.
Stories of Identity & Inclusion at All Saints Kingston
Left to right: Jordan Allen, St Peter’s Norbiton; Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Noel Hadjimichael; Bishop of Kingston, Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough; Sara Azeez, Member of the Refugee Sewing Group; Ece Temiz Malkoc, Member of the Refugee Sewing Group; Nidhal Sultan, Member of the Refugee Sewing Group; Rev Joe Moffatt, Vicar of All Saints Kingston, Lorraine Thomas, Immanuel Streatham
We were delighted by the warm and positive response to our St George’s Day gathering, where around 50 people from churches across the Kingston Episcopal Area came together to reflect on national identity with honest, openness and a commitment to inclusion. It was especially meaningful to display the “Everybody Welcome” flag and the “Cloak of Hope”, created by the local charity RBKares and their Refugee sewing Group, who stitched their stories and hopes into the fabric.
The afternoon featured powerful reflections from Jordan Allen (St Peter’s Norbiton) and Lorraine Thomas (Immanuel Streatham), whose talks sparked rich conversations among attendees:
Jordan explored the symbolism of the St George’s flag, noting how its colours represent “purity, peace” and “war, blood-shed, royalty,” yet acknowledging how its history can feel unsettling for someone of African heritage. He recalled seeing it “plastered all over weaponry” and linked to groups who feel “angry, misheard and underrepresented.” Jordan also shared his deep connection to England through school, music, football, and faith, grounding his identity in the belief that “love worketh no ill to his neighbour.”
Lorraine reflected on the tension between perception and reality. Though the flag was meant to symbolise “courage, sacrifice and Christian identity,” she explained how it has been “hijacked” and often communicates exclusion or fear. She shared stories of Black Britons feeling unwelcome in neighbourhoods where the flag appears and challenged us to reclaim its meaning through how we live: “The question is not what the flag stands for, but what we stand for when we stand under it.”
We are grateful to everyone who spoke, listened, and contributed to such a thoughtful and uplifting afternoon, including the Mayor of Kingston, the Leader of the Council and the Bishop of Kingston. Details of the talks can be found at www.allsaintskingston.co.uk
Celebrations at St George’s Waddon
St George’s Waddon celebrated St George’s Day with tambourines and maracas, singing the hymn “Marching on light of God.”
The painting that hangs in the church is a triptych. The larger centre panel is entitled ‘The Great Banquet’ and depicts Jesus parable and teaching from Luke 14. Cicely used local people who lived on the Waddon housing estate as models for the painting. The two smaller side panels show St John the Baptist (the patron Saint of St George’s mother church) and Saint George.
“The Great Banquet” painting by Cicely Mary Barker in The Lady Chapel at St George’s Church Waddon
